Mounting system comprising a mounting device

ABSTRACT

A mounting arrangement for mounting a component on a mounting plate has an elastic ring whose inside comprises a circumferential surface structure. The ring has two axial holes for fastening the ring on the mounting plate, and the ring has a radial slot that separates the ring between two end sections, so that the ring can be spread apart and then clamped around a component. The mounting arrangement is useful for mounting cylindrical components such as electrolytic capacitors that comprise a bead in the region of the floor on a mounting plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a mounting device for mounting a componenton a mounting plate. The invention is also directed to a mountingarrangement comprising the mounting device. Over and above this, theinvention is directed to the employment of the mounting device.

DE 197 21 287 C1 discloses mounting means for mounting a component,particularly an electrolytic capacitor, on a mounting plate. Themounting means are clamping elements that can be screwed to a heatelimination plate. The clamping elements lie against the walls of thehousing of the electrolytic capacitor and have points at their end facefacing toward the housing walls. In the clamp region of the clampingelements, the housing has an indentation serving as mounting aid,whereby the center line of the indentation is arranged higher than theposition achieved after the fastening of the housing by means of thepoints of the clamping elements.

This known mounting means has the disadvantage that at least fourclamping elements are required for the secure fastening of theelectrical component. A very large space requirement on the mountingplate results therefrom. Over and above this, the manipulation of theindividual clamping elements, which are individually screwed onto themounting plate, is very complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a goal of the present invention to offer a mountingmeans or device for mounting a component on a mounting plate that uses asmall space on the mounting plate and that can be quickly and simplysecured.

This goal is inventively achieved by a mounting means or device formounting a component on a mounting plate, which device includes anelastic ring having an inside with a circumferential surface structure.The ring has two axial holes for fastening the ring with a flat side orsurface on the mounting plate. The ring has a radially proceeding slotthat separates the ring between two end sections, and the deviceincludes means for clamping the ring around the component.

The inventive device or means for embracing the component with the ringsees to a dependable fastening of the component on the mounting plate.Since the ring embraces the entire circumference of the component, onlytwo holes with the corresponding, required fastening means are neededfor fastening the ring on the mounting plate. The component with theinventive mounting means can therefore be secured on the mounting platein an especially simple and space-saving way.

In addition, a mounting means is especially advantageous wherein thesurface structure is a salient bead. Such a surface structure isespecially easy to produce and can, for example, be used for engaginginto a corresponding groove of the component according to the tongue andgroove principle.

The ring can be clamped around the component especially well when theinside of the ring lies on a cylinder surface given a correspondinglyround outside surface of the component. Such a mounting means can beespecially advantageously employed for mounting cylindrical componentssuch as, for examples electrolytic capacitors.

In addition, a mounting means is especially advantageous wherein the endsections of the ring are shaped so that they interlock when the ring ispressed together. As a result of this specific fashioning of the ring, acomponent can be easily positioned and secured after the ring has beenslipped over the component and the end sections have engaged.

In addition, an embodiment of the mounting means is especiallyadvantageous wherein the slot is shaped such that the end sectionsoverlap one another, and with one of the holes extending through the twoend sections. A mounting means designed in this way can, for example, beclamped around the component during the fastening on the mounting plate.A screw with a conical end can advantageously serve this purpose and isscrewed through the hole passing through both end sections, so that thenarrow end of the conical screw engages through the not exactly alignedholes of the two end sections when the screw is inserted through the endsections, and so that the cone migrates in the direction of the mountingplate when the screw is screwed tight and thus pulls the two endsections closer and closer together.

An embodiment of the mounting means is also especially advantageouswherein an end section comprises a catch hook that engages into acorresponding recess of the other end section. As a result thereof, alatching of the two end sections in one another can be easily realized.

In addition, a mounting means is especially advantageous wherein thehole in one of the end sections is conically expanded at the slot sidein the direction toward the other end section. Such a mounting means hasthe advantage that, for example, a screw that secures the mounting meanson the mounting plate can be especially easily introduced into thecorresponding hole passing through the two end sections. In a certainsense, the conical expansion thereby serves as an introduction aid forthe screw. After the screw has been completely plugged through the hole,the ring is also automatically clamped around the component. Theclamping of the ring with an ordinary, straight screw is thus possible.

In addition, it is also possible to design the mounting means so thatthe hole is expanded to an oblong hole at only one side, whereby theoblong hole is directed toward the slot.

The mounting means can be especially advantageously fabricated of amixture of plastic and fiberglass or of a mixture of plastic and mineralfibers. For example, polyamides having a mineral fiber content of 25%come into consideration as the mineral fiber/plastic mixture. However,it is also possible to employ polybutyleneteraphthalate with a 20%content of mineral fibers as the mineral fiber/plastic mixture. Thesemineral fiber/plastic mixtures can be especially easily andinexpensively manufactured and worked. The glass part or, respectively,mineral part in the fiber/plastic mixture thereby sees to the requiredstrength of the mounting means. However, it is also conceivable tomanufacture the mounting means of, for example, brass or spring steelsheet.

In addition, a mounting means is especially advantageous wherein arespective hole is located in two continuations that lie opposite oneanother and are arranged on the outside of the ring. As a resultthereof, it is possible to provide a minimal width for the ring.Moreover, the continuations define a broad side and a narrow side, andthis makes it possible to accommodate a plurality of mounting means onthe mounting plate in an especially space-saving fashion with theirnarrow sides next to one another.

In addition, the invention specifies a mounting arrangement wherein acomponent is mounted on a mounting plate by means of an inventivemounting means or device. The component comprises a planar floor, andthe outside of the component comprises a circumferential surfacestructure latched to the inside of the ring. The ring is clamped aroundthe component and is secured on the mounting plate by means of itsholes. The fastening of the ring on the mounting plate ensues such bymeans of fastening devices projecting through the hole that the floor ofthe component is pressed onto the mounting plate.

The inventive mounting arrangement has the advantage that it produces adirect contact between the floor of the component and the mounting platein a simple way. When the mounting plate is composed of thermallyconductive material, the mounting plate can therefore be employed as aheat elimination for the heat generated in the component duringoperation.

In addition, a mounting arrangement is especially advantageous whereinthe surface structure of the component has a groove and wherein thesurface structure of the ring has a tongue that mates with the groove.The surface structure of the component in the form of a groove can beespecially easily realized in that, for example, it is pressed into asheet metal housing.

In addition, a mounting arrangement is especially advantageous whereinthe component has the shape of a cylinder. Such a component can beespecially advantageously mounted with a ring whose inside lies on acylinder surface. For example, electrolytic capacitors, which usuallyhave the shape of a cylinder, can thus be secured on the mounting platein a simple way. In addition, the ring can be especially easily andcleanly clamped around a round component since the clamping forces neednot be conducted around corners.

In addition, a mounting arrangement is especially advantageous whereinthe ring is clamped around the component by latching its end sections.Such a mounting arrangement has the advantage that the ring clampedaround the component produces a unit that is easy to mount and that cansimply be screwed fast on the mounting plate through straight holes.Over and above this, the procedure of clamping is separated from theprocedure of fastening.

A mounting arrangement is also especially advantageous wherein the ringis clamped by a screw that is conducted through the expanded hole in theend section and is screwed into the mounting plate. Given such amounting arrangement, the clamping of the ring has occurred during thescrewing.

In addition, a mounting arrangement is especially advantageous whereinthe ring is clamped by a screw that is conducted through a straight holeand screwed into the mounting plate. In the region of the end section atthe side of the mounting plate, the screw thereby comprises a taper inthe direction onto the mounting plate. With the assistance of thistaper, the screw is especially easy to introduce through the holeleading through the end sections that may be shifted relative to oneanother. Over and above this, the ring is clamped around the componentwhen the screw provided with the taper is screwed into the plate.

In addition, a mounting arrangement is especially advantageous whereinthe contact surface between component and the ring is covered with athin, elastic layer. Such a thin, elastic layer is usually applied onthe component for electrical insulation. For example, a groove arrangedon the surface of the component is covered by this layer. Such acomponent can be especially advantageously mounted on a mounting platewith the inventive ring since the ring allows the clamping forces thatoccur to press the elastic layer into the groove, so that a locking ofthe ring to the component combined with a firm hold of the component onthe mounting plate is assured.

In addition, a mounting arrangement is especially advantageous whereinadditional rings carrying components are secured on the mounting plateat one of the sides of the ring that are free of continuations. Such amounting arrangement has the advantage that the space-saving design ofthe ring takes even greater effect due to the provision of a pluralityof rings next to one another than when a single component is mounted ona mounting plate.

The invention also specifies an employment of the inventive mountingmeans for mounting cylindrical components on a mounting plate, wherebythe components comprise a circumferential groove in the proximity of aplanar limiting surface, said groove being covered by a thin, elasticlayer. The inventive mounting means can be especially advantageouslyemployed given such components since it allows the elastic layer to bepressed into the groove and thus sees to a secure fastening of thecomponent on a mounting plate.

The invention is explained in greater detail below on the basis ofexemplary embodiments and the appertaining Figures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an inventive mounting means in plan view;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the inventive mounting means of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AB of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the mounting means in plan view;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CD of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inventive mountingarrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows an inventive mounting means that is a circular, elasticring 3. Axial holes 4, 4′ are provided at continuations 11, 11′ of thering 3. An inwardly salient bead 15 in the form of a spring is providedat the inside of the ring 3. The ring 3 comprises a slot 7 that partsthe ring 3 between two end sections, whereby the two end sectionsoverlap; only the first or top end section 5 can be seen in FIG. 1 forthis reason.

FIG. 2 shows the ring 3 from FIG. 1 with the two holes, the salient bead15 in the form of a spring as well as the first or top end section 5 andthe second or lower end section 6 that are separated from one another bythe slot 7.

FIG. 3 shows the two end sections 5, 6 that are separated from oneanother by the slot 7 and overlap one another. A hole 4 that serves forfastening the ring on a mounting plate is conducted through the two endsections 5, 6. The first end section 5 is provided with a catch hook 8that engages into a corresponding recess 9 of the second end section 6.

FIG. 4 shows an inventive mounting means in the form of a circular,elastic ring 3 a in plan view. Holes 4, 4′ that serve for fastening thering 3 on a mounting plate are arranged at continuations 11, 11′ of thering 3 a. A salient bead 15 in the form of a spring is applied at theinside of the ring 3 a. The ring 3 a is parted by means of a slot 7between two end sections. The two end sections overlap one another, forwhich reason only the first end section 5 can be seen in FIG. 4. Thehole 4 that leads through both end sections is implemented as an oblonghole 10 in the upper region in the second or lower end section lyingunder the end section 5; and this can be seen as a broken line in FIG.4. Even with a slightly spread condition of the ring 3 a, a screw canextend through the hole 4 in the end section 5 and can engage into theoblong hole 10 of the second end section 6. Since the oblong hole 10 isconically fashioned and ultimately ends in the hole 4 within the secondend section 6, the ring 3 a can be clamped by means of the oblong hole10 by introducing an ordinary screw.

FIG. 5 shows the two end sections 5, 6 that are parted from one anotherby a slot 7. The hole 4 leads through both end sections 5, 6. The hole 4is implemented as the oblong hole 10 that tapers conically downward inthe upper region of the second end section 6.

FIG. 6 shows an inventive mounting arrangement with a cylindricalcomponent 1 that has its floor 12 lying on a mounting plate 2. Thecomponent can, for example, be an electrolytic capacitor that comprisesan aluminum pot as an outer housing. A circumferential groove 14, thatfacilitates the fastening of the electrolytic capacitor on the mountingplate 2, is impressed into the aluminum pot in the region of the floor12. In addition, the electrolytic capacitor is covered with a shrinkhose 17 at its curved outside wall. This shrink hose 17 typically has athickness of 0.2 mm and is composed either of polyvinyl chloride or ofpolyester. It serves for an electrical insulation from otherelectrolytic capacitors that can likewise be arranged on the mountingplate 2. The electrical insulation in the region of the floor 12 of theelectrolytic capacitor is accomplished with a cap that is implemented asan elastic layer or cup 16. The cap typically has a thickness of 0.2 mmand is preferably composed either of polycarbonate or of polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT). The electrolytic capacitor typically has a diameterof 90 mm. The groove pressed into the outside wall of the electrolyticcapacitor usually has a depth of 2 mm. The ring 3 embraces the component1, whereby the bead 15 arranged at the inside of the ring 3 engages intothe groove 14 of the component 1. As a result thereof, the elastic layer16 is deformed, for which reason a minimal clamping force is requiredfor the ring 3. The salient bead 15 at the inside of the ring 3typically has a height of 1 mm. In an especially advantageousembodiment, the distance between groove 14 and floor 12 is selected sothat the component 1 but not the ring 3 touches the mounting plate whenthe component 1 is put in place onto the mounting plate 2. What is thusachieved is that, after the ring 3 has been screwed fast, an additionalforce presses the component 1 onto the mounting plate 2, as a resultwhereof, in particular, the vibration resistance of the mountingarrangement is improved. The ring 3 is secured on the mounting plate 2by means of two holes 4 and 4′ arranged at its two sides. This fasteningcan, for example, ensue with a screw 13. Since the ring 3 is parted bymeans of the slot 7 between the two end sections 5, 6, and the hole 4extends through both end sections 5, 6, the ring 3 can be clamped bymeans of a screw 13 that conically tapers at its lower end. The conicaltaper simultaneously sees to a centering, as a result whereof thescrewing of the screw 13 is facilitated. The mounting plate 2 can bepreferably fabricated of metal, for example aluminum or brass, becauseit is then simultaneously suited as heat elimination plate for the heatgenerated in the component 1 during operation. At its widest location,i.e. at the location where the continuations 11 and 11′ are arranged,the ring has a width of 10 through 15 mm.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown by way of examplebut is defined in its most general form in the claims.

1. A mounting device for mounting an electrical component on a mountingplate, comprising: an elastic ring having an inside surface with acircumferential surface structure, two axial holes for fastening thering on the mounting plate, the ring being cut though by a radial slotto form two end sections, wherein the end sections can be spread apartto allow the ring to be placed around the electrical component and thenreleased to clamp the electrical component, and wherein the slot isshaped so that the end sections of the ring overlap one another, one ofthe holes extends through the two end sections, and one end section ofthe ring has a latch hook that engages into a corresponding recess ofthe other end section of the ring.
 2. A mounting device according toclaim 1, wherein the surface structure is a salient bead.
 3. A mountingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the inside surface lies on acylinder surface.
 4. A mounting device according to claim 1, wherein theend sections of the ring are shaped so that they interlock when the ringis pressed together.
 5. A mounting device according to claim 1, whereinthe hole in one of the end sections of the ring is conically expandedadjacent the slot and in the direction toward the other end section ofthe ring.
 6. A mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the hole isexpanded at only one side to form an oblong hole directed toward theslot.
 7. A mounting device according to claim 1, wherein a respectivehole is located in two continuations that lie opposite one another andare arranged at an outside surface of the ring.
 8. A mounting deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the ring is composed of a mineralfiber/plastic mixture.